UN Secretary-General Mourns Buhari, Pays Tribute at Nigeria House in New York
July 19, 2025
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, describing him as a committed leader whose legacy will resonate far beyond Nigeria’s borders.
Guterres visited Nigeria House in New York on Friday, where he signed the condolence register and personally extended the UN’s sympathies to the government and people of Nigeria.
“President Buhari will be remembered for his steadfast commitment to selfless service, his leadership in advancing peace and stability across Africa, and his dedication to strengthening institutions in Nigeria,” Guterres wrote in the register.
“He was also a great supporter of the United Nations and a strong voice for multilateralism, solidarity, and sustainable development around the world.”
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) after the visit, Guterres reflected on his professional relationship with the late president, whom he praised for championing Africa’s interests on the global stage.
“I had the privilege to work with President Buhari. I greatly admired his extraordinary dedication—not only to Nigeria but to the African continent and the broader global community,” he said.
The UN chief further noted Buhari’s influential role in promoting peace and stability in West Africa, describing him as a “stabilising force” in the region.
“President Buhari’s leadership in navigating the complexities of regional security and asserting Nigeria’s role on the continent was deeply appreciated,” he added.
Guterres concluded his tribute by assuring Nigerians that Buhari’s contributions to national and global development would remain a source of inspiration for generations.
Receiving the UN delegation, Nigeria’s Chargé d’Affaires to the United Nations, Mr. Syndoph Endoni, expressed gratitude for the gesture, noting that the visit affirmed Buhari’s global stature as a respected statesman.
“The Secretary-General’s presence here today is a strong testament to the late President’s enduring impact—not just on Nigeria, but on international affairs,” Endoni said.
Also present at the ceremony were Bola Asaju and Mr. Razak Lawal, Head of Chancery at the Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the UN.
Muhammadu Buhari, who led Nigeria as a military ruler from 1983 to 1985 and returned as a democratically elected president from 2015 to 2023, died on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at a hospital in London. He was 82. His burial took place on Tuesday in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State.
